Movie Reviews: "Superman" and "Devil"

• "Superman Returns"--After 19 years of big-screen absence, I have to say that the caped crusader's return wasn't quite as gripping as I had hoped it would be, especially coming from the director of one of film's best comic book movies ("x2"). That said, the movie is entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking, and visually stunning. The acting is adequate, and although no one actor botches the job altogether, I don't feel like anyone really improves on the original performances by Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, or Gene Hackman. The fault may be in the script, which wants to focus more on Superman as a God/Christ figure (the parallels are almost distracting) than it does on the classic Superman mythology. (I found it especially frustrating during the final 20 minutes, which almost completely abandons the fascinating love triangle between Clark/Lois/Superman.) In the movie's defense, the action is thrilling, the special effects are convincing, and the overall package is more satisfying than the most recent "X-Men" movie. It's a fun movie, and one that lays a decent foundation for a new era of Superman films. Now if director Bryan Singer can make his "Superman" sequel as terrific as his second "X-Men" movie was, we're in for a super-treat... (*** out of four)
• "The Devil Wears Prada"--There is really only one thing that I can recommend about this movie, and it's probably the only reason anyone is going to see it: Meryl Streep. As Miranda Priestley, the horribly-wicked editor of fashion's most influential magazine, Streep is pitch perfect. She doesn't allow her character to deteriorate into a simple caricature, but rather infuses her with a fascinating and entertaining depth. In fact, whenever she is not onscreen, I found my mind wandering. (Streep may just be on her way to another Oscar nomination; Oscar voters love it when serious actors do comedy and do it well.) Oh, the coming-of-age story about Andy (Anne Hathaway) is ok, but anytime she's not interacting with Streep's character, you're wishing she was. Make no mistake, this film is an unadulterated chick-flick, and never pretends to be anything else. In that regard, it's pleasant enough. Not great, but good enough for a matinee. (**1/2 out of four)